Palin helps open new weight clinic
Obesity is at epidemic levels in Australia and health authorities are struggling to deal with its implications.
No surprise then at the enormous media interest in new specialist facilities that combine weight loss surgery with lifestyle changes at the Institute of Weight Control at Baulkham Hills Private Hospital in Sydney.
With cameras from Channel 9, Channel 10, Channel 7, ABC and SBS News rolling, head surgeon Dr Roy Brancatisano opened the clinic with Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott on Monday 22 August 2005.
Weight loss surgery can be controversial topic - but careful message development, story positioning, communications with medical groups and briefing of third parties ensured the news coverage stayed right on track.
Feature stories in local newspapers complemented the wall-to-wall TV news coverage that evening.